Michaela Trapl-Grundschober

Michaela Trapl-Grundschober is a speech therapist and researcher at the Clinical Department of Neurology at Tulln University Hospital, affiliated with Karl Landsteiner Private University of Health Sciences. She holds a PhDr. degree from St. Elisabeth University of Health and Social Work in Bratislava and is currently completing her PhD in Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, expected in 2025. Her work focuses on dysphagia management following stroke, where she has made significant contributions to clinical practice through research and development of assessment tools.

Trapl-Grundschober's research interests center on swallowing disorders following stroke, with particular emphasis on the development and validation of screening tools, medication administration for patients with dysphagia, and interdisciplinary approaches to stroke rehabilitation. Her expertise spans clinical assessment, therapeutic interventions, and the development of evidence-based protocols for managing dysphagia in acute stroke settings. She has developed specialized knowledge in fiberendoscopic dysphagia diagnostics (FEES) and has received certification as a trainer in this technique.

Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent focus on practical clinical applications of dysphagia research, with particular attention to medication safety for stroke patients with swallowing difficulties, the implementation of standardized screening protocols, and interdisciplinary collaboration between speech therapists, nurses, and physicians. Her work demonstrates an evolution from tool development (GUSS) to implementation science and practical challenges in clinical settings.

• Science Award 2008 for development of The Gugging Swallowing Screen

Trapl-Grundschober leads several research projects including MedISID (Medication use of solid dosage forms) and R:IphEst (pharyngeal electrical stimulation therapy), benefiting from Research-Time-Out (RTO) funding that allows her to balance clinical work with research. She has developed an international network of experts in neurology, ENT, speech therapy, and geriatrics to advance her research agenda. Her current focus is on publishing results from the MedISID project and increasing attention to endoscopic swallowing diagnostics in both clinical practice and research.